Harmony XB5S Biometric Scanner for Access Control

The Harmony Biometric Switch is a fingerprint-reading device designed specifically for industrial environments where security is highly critical to everyday functions, but manufacturing conditions require security systems to be industrially hardened.

The switch reads fingerprint patterns to verify that someone is authorized to access sensitive areas and machine functions through an anonymous process in which fingerprints serve only to authorize access, not confirm an individual’s identity. Fingerprint readers have been shown to be more effective and efficient than other security systems, and they can also save money long-term. Fingerprint readers—unlike passwords, swipe cards or pin numbers—can’t be lost, stolen, borrowed, guessed or forgotten.

Similar to a key-operated selector switch, the Harmony Biometric Switch has two operating modes: on-off mode or pulse mode for momentary action. Authentication takes less than one second, and the false acceptance rate is less than 0.1%. The switches can remember up to 200 fingerprints, including several fingers from the same operator, for additional flexibility and precision. This switch fits in a standard 22 mm push button mounting hole, resists mechanical shock and vibration, protects against EMC noise and UV light, meets IP65 and NEMA 12 standards, and offers an optional protective cover and guard. 

The switch is designed for areas of a plant with strict access restrictions, such as:

• Dangerous processes, including extreme motion, or when servicing or setting-up processes need to be limited to authorized personnel.
• When there is a need to switch machines to maintenance mode or reset emergency stops.
• Access to certain interior rooms and equipment, such as garage doors, or to control changes to parameters in PLC programs or limit who can download data.
• Wherever it becomes necessary to replace key-operated selector switches, badges, codes, and passwords.

The Harmony Biometric Switch is fully stand-alone—there’s no need for a supplementary interface, USB cable or port, CD or DVD for operating instructions—and it’s compact and easy to install. It can be mounted in a standard 22 mm push button cut-out and connected quickly using bared wires or an M12 connector.